Rob Delaney

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #24 prospect in 2009
  Delaney was the setup man for 2005 Red Sox first-rounder Craig Hansen for two seasons at St. John's and then started 15 games as a redshirt junior in 2006. After Delaney went undrafted that June, Twins area scout John Wilson snapped him up as a free agent for $500. Delaney has done nothing but pound the strike zone since, with great success. He formed an impressive bullpen tandem with Anthony Slama at Fort Myers in the first half of 2008, then moved up to Double-A. Delaney's fastball has average velocity, sitting at 90-91 mph and touching 92, and he throws a heavy ball with excellent sink and surprising armside run. He has above-average command of his fastball as well and pitches to both sides of the plate with it. His slider is his second-best offering, suiting his low three-quarters arm slot, and he added tilt to it. He has been death to righthanders, limiting them to a .150 average last season. Delaney tired a bit in the Arizona Fall League at the end of 2008, and he was trying too hard to throw hard, costing him movement. His lack of an effective changeup or splitter to combat lefthanders is his biggest weakness, but his fastball command may be enough to make him a capable middle reliever.